Futsal tourney gets cracking today with six pulsating contests

After much anticipation, the premier Futsal tournament in Guyana, the Petra Organization championships, will commence today at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with six elimination fixtures.

The tournament opener at 19:30hrs will set the trend for a pulsation evening as North East La Penitence lock horns with Leopold Street. In the second contest at 20:15hrs, Festival City will match skills with West Back Road.

The third contest will pit Tucville against veteran unit Kitty Weavers from 21:00hrs while the fourth fixture will witness North Ruimveldt engaging Agricola Champion Boys from 21:45hrs.

In the final two fixtures of the night, Broad Street Bullies will engage Channel-9 Warriors from 22:30hrs and losing finalist Sparta Boss  will match skills with Globe Yard from 23:15hrs.

Action in the tourney will continue on Thursday at the same venue with the final six elimination matches. At 19:30hrs, Hustlers will lock horns with Tiger Bay while West Front Road-Gold is Money opposes crowd favourite Camp Street All-Stars at 20:15hrs.

Flashback! Okeene Fraser (left) of eventual champions Bent Street battling Travis Grant of Sparta Boss during the dying moments of last year’s final at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

At 21:00hrs, Albouystown will face-off with Campbellville in the third affair while Alexander Village battles Sophia in the fourth showdown from 21:45hrs.

The final two contests of the evening will pit defending champion Bent Street against Stevedore Housing Scheme at 22:30hrs and East Ruimveldt heavyweight Back Circle against West Demerara giant Showstoppers at 23:15hrs.

Following the conclusion of the elimination round, the resulting 12 teams will be divided into three groups of four.

Upon the end of the round-robin stage, the top two finishers and the best two third ranked teams from the respective groups will progress to the quarterfinal phase. Winner of the tournament will collect $400,000 and the championship trophy while the runner-up will pocket $200,000 and the corresponding accolade.

The third and fourth place finishers will collect $100,000 and $50,000 respectively and the respective accolade. The event concludes April 15th.